AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Senate approved a new congressional map early Saturday morning after an attempt to filibuster the bill by Democrats was countered by Republicans.

The Senate passed the map on a party-line vote, 18 to 11, around 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Blocked filibuster

Houston Democrat Sen. Carol Alvarado planned to filibuster the bill for as long as possible Saturday, but Republicans used a Senate rule to block the filibuster attempt and force a vote.

Sen. Charles Perry pointed to a campaign email sent by Alvarado as his basis for blocking the filibuster attempt.

"To hold state employees at work under the guise of official responsibilities for the purpose of fundraising appears to be potentially unlawful, at least unethical," Perry said.

The Senate rule ended all

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